Bellator inks British slugger Paul Daley, debut set for Bellator 72

Bellator just added some knockout power to its competitive welterweight division.

British striker Paul Daley (29-12-2 MMA, 2-3 SF) has signed a multi-fight deal with the organization and debuts against an opponent to be named at next month’s Bellator 72 “Summer Series” event.

Daley joins yet another major promotion following stints with the UFC, Strikeforce, EliteXC, MFC, BAMMA, Shark Fights and others.

Bellator 72 takes place July 20 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla. The main card airs on MTV2, and Spike.com carries the prelims. It’s not clear where Daley will be placed on the fight card.

“I’ve been a fan of Bellator for a long while,” Daley stated. “When this chance came up, I was absolutely ready to make a long term commitment to Bellator. I have my sights set on winning the tournament and winning that Bellator title.”

If victorious at Bellator 72, Daley is a surefire candidate to join a season-seven tournament later this year. The only way to win the Bellator welterweight championship, which undefeated Olympic wrestler Ben Askren currently holds, is to win an eight-man tournament to claim a guaranteed title shot.

Strikeforce released Daley from his contract just a week ago. At the time, he stated that he wanted to fight more regularly; with Strikeforce, Daley fought just five times over a five-year period.

Prior to a split-decision loss to Kazuo Misaki in his most recent appearance, the 29-year-old Daley had posted back-to-back decision wins over Jordan Radev and Luigi Fioravanti in outside promotions. However, he went winless in his final three Strikeforce appearances, including a title loss to welterweight champ Diaz in early 2011.

Still, he brings an exciting style to the cage; 20 of his 29 career wins have come via knockout.